Is this going too far?

P

Peter Crowl

New member
I picked up the new license plates for the MINI yesterday.



When I attached the year tag ...despite all effort...it landed a tiny bit off square. Others couldn't see it...but I could.



So today I went back to Motor Vehicle and bought a new year tag so I could apply it again.



That's not too extreme is it?



Peter...seeking validation...in Denver
 
I would've tried removing it via hair dryer first and reapply, but if it wasn't too much of a hassle, well.. all depends how far you want to go. I'll keep this thread in mind and be even more careful next time I have to apply registration decals. It is already very close work ;) :up
 
I did lift it and try to re-apply but when I did it stretched and wouldn't lay correctly.



It wasn't expensive to get another sticker..just a hassle. But I could not live with that off-square...even just a little bit...sticker.



Peter...thinking maybe medication? ... in Denver
 
Peter Crowl said:
I did lift it and try to re-apply but when I did it stretched and wouldn't lay correctly.



It wasn't expensive to get another sticker..just a hassle. But I could not live with that off-square...even just a little bit...sticker.



Peter...thinking maybe medication? ... in Denver
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Nah, you already tried to lift it and since it didn't work ,sounded like you had to get another one. He he, you should see me when I have to change my decal, I have the hair dryer ready, several adhesive removers and my Steam Buggy waiting in the wings if necessary :) Just extreme attention to details ;) Now, if you can't get the thought of removing decals out of your mind, well... J/K :up
 
When we pick up new Plates here in NH the first sticker is already applied. And man.............they just slap it on wherever it may fall. Mine was alomost at a 45* angle.:angry

Same thing with the inspection stickers on the windshiels, those guys dont care.. It drives me Crazy:bounce
 
crobinso said:
Yes Peter, that was extreme. :eek: BTW, were you successful with the second sticker?
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Well..lets say the second attempt is satisfactory. It's very difficult to get the stickers not just straight...They're now acceptably straight...but also symetrically placed with regard to the letters on the plate and the mounting holes. I really should make up a jig or template that I can put the plate in and then apply the stickers using pre-cut windows as guides.



We don't have inspection stickers here anymore...but same deal when we did...slap them anywhere. I really wish our governments would adapt a British style tax disc medallion so we could aquire a nice holder and mount it properly. Then the disc can be inserted in the holder every year. Same could work for inspection stickers.



But I guess for most people it just doesn't matter. Ever follow a car with bumper stickers :rolleyes: that are slapped on crooked :shocked . People who do that are only one or two notches above people who throw cigarette butts out the window.





Peter...who has no problem with smokers...just litterers...in Denver
 
Nah, that's not extreme. If you followed the installation by giving the license tag a nice claying, polishing and waxing... Now that would be a bit extreme (and seriously anal retentive)! :D



Regards,



Dan.



p.s. Of course, if you weren't anal retentive (like the rest of us), you wouldn't be posting on this forum! :cool:
 
Intercooled said:
When we pick up new Plates here in NH the first sticker is already applied. And man.............they just slap it on wherever it may fall. Mine was alomost at a 45* angle.:angry

Same thing with the inspection stickers on the windshiels, those guys dont care.. It drives me Crazy:bounce
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Luckily when I picked up my plates for the Audi from the dealer, ( they knew very well how I like the appearance of the car and had no problem discusing not prepping it when it came in) I was pleasantly surprised how perfectly they had placed the decals on them :up I remarked about this and expressed my great appreciation. I'm glad they appear to recognize the (very) little things do indeed count. :)



Also, when I got my Caddy insepcted the folks at the station knew already how finicky I am about window stickers. They really had no problem allowing me the extra time to clean up the residue left behind after scraping the old one off. He he, I even passed a long a list of detailing supply websites to one DMV employee :) The day I got the Audi, the salesperson simply handed over the inspection sticker to me and I placed t on the window myself :bounce



Now here in FL I soon will be transfering over to the one plate only in the back :up, and no need for ANY window stickers! :bow I'm going have to pick up a pair of bumperplugs for the Audi and I have a nice 3d emblem plate for the Caddy waiting :D
 
Yeah, I've always been able to apply the windshield stickers myself too (but then I'm really nice towards the inspection people, who have usually been state troopers).



Peter- Doesn't sound the least bit extreme to me, but then, I'm, well, *me* :o



But am I reading this right- there are people here who don't clay their plates, seal the backs, etc? I always put on self-adhesive silicon bumpers to hold them away from the paint and seal the backs with at least several coats of SG to keep dirt from clinging/building up back there. Otherwise dirty water will seep out and run down the paint when I blow those areas clean with the compressor. And yeah, you have to pull the plates every few washes to clean behind them properly...
 
Accumulator said:
Yeah, I've always been able to apply the windshield stickers myself too (but then I'm really nice towards the inspection people, who have usually been state troopers).
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Comes to show how just being nice can work to your benefit :up
 
Accumulator said:
Yeah, I've always been able to apply the windshield stickers myself too (but then I'm really nice towards the inspection people, who have usually been state troopers).



Peter- Doesn't sound the least bit extreme to me, but then, I'm, well, *me* :o



But am I reading this right- there are people here who don't clay their plates, seal the backs, etc? I always put on self-adhesive silicon bumpers to hold them away from the paint and seal the backs with at least several coats of SG to keep dirt from clinging/building up back there. Otherwise dirty water will seep out and run down the paint when I blow those areas clean with the compressor. And yeah, you have to pull the plates every few washes to clean behind them properly...
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I didn't mention the prep and sealing of the plates 'cause I figured that was a given. I remove the plates for cleaning behind every time I remove the wheels...sort of like changing smoke detector batteries when the time changes.



The silicone bumpers...now that's a very good idea. I'm on my way to get them :up



Peter...learning a new trick every day..in Denver
 
Im thinking of getting this specialtyplate on at least the Caddy. Not only does it match it well, the fees go to a very worthy cause:
 

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Peter Crowl said:
The silicone bumpers...now that's a very good idea. I'm on my way to get them..
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If this isn't too late, get the biggest, thickest ones they have. I wasted time/money trying the little thin ones first.



Bill D- Yeah, I run specialty plates on a few of ours, lends a nice touch and is a somewhat subtle way of wearing your viewpoints on your sleeve so to speak.
 
Hey Accumulator,



Can't say I'm familar with those silicone bumpers. Could you list a brand and/or part #? Where can I buy? Thanks!
 
Bill D-Soft Touch by Waxman, pn 1841. Package just says "Bumpers", 1/2" & 3/4" Self-Stick. "For Stereos" (as in, put them on the bottom of components you'll be stacking I guess).



These sizes are the ones you'll want, one or the other will work in most cases.



I got mine at Lowes. Go to where they sell stuff of this nature, often used on furniture and on the back of picture frames (holds them out from the wall to allow clearance for the hanging hardware). The bumpers will be near stuff like "furniture glides", felt pads, etc.



There are better/fancier products that accomplish the same thing, but their usually incorporated into license plate frames, which I don't like on some of my vehicles. These work very well and they also keep the plates from chewing up the paint. Provide a little tension to help keep the mounting bolts/screws from vibrating loose too (helpful if you'd rather line up the bolt slots than just tighten them up and have them be less than uniform).
 
Accumulator wrote.... Provide a little tension to help keep the mounting bolts/screws from vibrating loose too (helpful if you'd rather line up the bolt slots than just tighten them up and have them be less than uniform). [/B]
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Screw heads must be lined up....a friend recently brought his car over to run it up on the lift....while it was up I took the liberty...well..I had to...align the plate screws.



Here's the plate I'm running...





Peter....in Denver
 

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